“None of the turbine locations are necessarily set in stone. But the nearest turbine is over four miles away from the lake," Copleman says. "This is a project that due to topography, due to the distance of the turbines from the lake and from each other, will actually be pretty difficult to see from most parts of the lake.”

The Newfound Lake Region Association didn’t immediately return messages requesting comment. After the story aired, Executive Director Boyd Smith contacted NHPR. He noted the process of permitting the proposed wind project is a long one, and the organization is examining its options in light of its mission.

The towns of Alexandria, Danbury, and Grafton are weighing if they want a 36 turbine wind farm along their ridgelines.

It’s a contentious decision the town of Lempster approved in 2007. That project has been operating for four years, and it's the closest thing New Hampshire has to an analog for the decision these three towns are now facing.

When representatives from the Spanish energy company Iberdrola Renewables meet with people in Alexandria, Grafton and Danbury, it gets pretty heated.